Gutenberg's Great Invention giving Everyman the Word of God

Aimee Herd : Aug 31, 2010
Daniel Bensadoun – Jerusalem Post

The Bible is still the most popular book in the world.

The renowned inventor of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg, was highlighted this week by the Jerusalem Post, as they noted his other great accomplishment, the completion of the first printed Bible in August of 1456.

The German goldsmith-turned-inventor ushered in the "age of the printed book," with his Gutenberg Bible, making the Word of God accessible to all. (Photo: Gutenberg Bible of the New York Public Library)

According to the JPost article, "the 'hand mold' he created made possible for the first time the precise and rapid creation of 'types' in large quantities." The same metal alloy developed by Gutenberg for his printing press back in 1400 is still in use today. Gutenberg's creation is regarded as the most important invention of the second century.

The report notes that it is believed there were 180 copies of the Bible originally produced, and that only 21 "complete copies have survived the five centuries since their printing."

Today, the Bible remains the most popular book in the world, having nearly three billion copies printed in hundreds of different languages.

Read more about Johannes Gutenberg's historic achievement at the link provided.